World Country Guide

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Food & Drink
Belgian cuisine is similar to French, based on game and seafood. Each region in Belgium has its own special dish. Butter, cream, beer and wine are generously used in cooking. Belgian chocolate, waffles and chips - preferably served with mayonnaise - are famous. Ardennes sausages and ham are renowned. Most restaurants have waiter service, although self-service cafes are becoming quite numerous. Restaurant bills always include drinks, unless they have been taken at the bar separately. In the latter case this is settled over the counter. Tips are also included in the final bill, although an additional tip may be left at the discretion of the individual.
Local beers are very good. Two of the most popular are Lambic, made from wheat and barley, and Trappist. Fruit beers, such as Kriek cherry beer, are a speciality. Under a new law, the majority of cafes now have licences to serve spirits. Beers and wines are freely obtainable everywhere and there are no licensing hours.

Nightlife
As well as being one of the best cities in the world for eating out (both for its high quality and range), Brussels has a very active and varied nightlife. It has 10 theatres producing plays in both Dutch and French. These include the Théâtre National de la Communauté Française and the Théâtre des Galeries. The more avant-garde theatres include the Théâtre Cinq-Quarante and the Théâtre de Poche. Brussels’ 39 cinemas, numerous discos and many night-time cafes are centred on two main areas: the uptown Porte Louise area and the downtown area between Place Roger and Place de la Bourse. Nightclubs include Le Fuse, Les Jeux d'Hiver and Le You; jazz clubs include The New York Cafe Jazz Club, The Sounds Jazz Club and The Music Village (visit: www.brusselslife.be and www.trabel.com/brussel/brussels-nightlife.htm). Programmes and weekly listings of events can be found in the BBB Agenda on sale at tourist offices. This also covers information on the many festivals that take place in Brussels itself. Tourism Brussels-Ardennes/Tourism Flanders-Brussels should be consulted about folk music or drama festivals elsewhere in Belgium – the most famous of which is the Festival of Flanders for classical music concerts. The other large cities of Belgium, such as Antwerp, Ghent, Kortrijk, Leuven, Liège, Mons and Namur, all have similar (though less extensive) nightlife facilities.

Shopping
Special purchases include ceramics and hand-beaten copperware from Dinant; Belgian chocolates; crystals from Val Saint Lambert; diamonds; jewellery from Antwerp; lace from Bruges, Brussels and Mechelen (Malines), woodcarvings from Spa and bandes dessinées (comic-strip books) by a number of talented Belgian cartoon artists from Brussels. Main shopping centres are located in Antwerp, Bruges, Brussels, Ghent, Liège, Mechelen, Mons, Namur and Ostend. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 1000-1800/1900. Department stores often remain open longer, up to 2100 on Friday. Outside main areas, some shops may close at lunchtime.

Special Events
The following is a selection of special events occurring in Belgium in 2005; for further information, contact Tourism Brussels-Ardennes and Tourism Flanders-Brussels (see Contact Addresses section):
Jan 21-30 50th Belgium Antiques Fair. Feb 6-8 Carnaval de Binche, Hainaut. Feb 13 Grand Feu de Bouge, spectacular bonfire on the first Sunday of Lent, Namur. Mar 6 Carnaval du Laetare, Stavelot. Mar 8-Sep 8 "Made in Belgium", exposition celebrating 175 years of independence, Brussels. Mar 28 129th Cavalcade in Herve, Liege. Apr 29-30 Liege Jazz Festival. May 7 Belgium Gay Pride, Brussels. May 14-16 Brussels Jazz Marathon/350th Military March at Saint Roch, Thuin. May 16 Matrimonial High Tea, Ecaussines. Jun 11-12 Days of the 4 Processius, Tournai. Jun 18-19 7th Napoleonic Bivouac at Waterloo, yearly reconstruction of a Napoleonic bivouac and the battle of Placenoit. Jun 22-25 European March of Memory & Friendship, 30km march. Jul 1 Ommegang Pageant, Brussels. Dec European Christmas Markets, countrywide.

Social Conventions
Belgians will often prefer to answer visitors in English rather than French, even if the visitor’s French is good. It is customary to bring flowers or a small present for the hostess, especially if invited for a meal. Dress is similar to other Western nations, depending on the formality of the occasion. If black tie/evening dress is to be worn, this is always mentioned on the invitation. Smoking is generally unrestricted. Tipping: A service charge of 16 per cent is usually included in hotel or restaurant bills. Cloakroom attendants and porters may expect a tip per item of luggage. A tip is generally included in taxi fares.